Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. and his wife, La'Quetta, who serves as the city's superintendent of schools, have been indicted on child endangerment and other charges. The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office announced that a grand jury issued the indictment, accusing the couple of child endangerment. Marty Small Sr. faces additional charges of assault and making terroristic threats.
Prosecutors allege that the parents physically and emotionally abused their teenage daughter, who was 15 to 16 years old, on multiple occasions in December and January. Marty Small Sr. reportedly hit his daughter with a broom, causing her to lose consciousness on one occasion. He also engaged in physical altercations with her, including punching her legs, while La'Quetta Small is accused of punching and striking their daughter with a belt, leaving visible marks.
The indictment does not pertain to Marty Small's role as mayor, according to his lawyer, who emphasized that the charges are related to a private family matter. The defense maintains the innocence of the Smalls, asserting that they are caring parents.
Additionally, the principal of Atlantic City High School, Constance Days-Chapman, was indicted on charges of official misconduct and child endangerment for allegedly failing to report the abuse to authorities as required by law and school policy. Days-Chapman, a close friend of the Smalls, was informed by the daughter about the abuse but reportedly did not escalate the matter to the appropriate authorities.
The legal proceedings surrounding these allegations have garnered significant attention in Atlantic City, raising concerns about child welfare and the responsibilities of educators and public officials in reporting suspected abuse.
